What should I do before my book is done?

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Should You Start Preparing to Publish Before Your Book Is Done? Here’s What to Focus On

Hey friends! Author Allison Spooner here—self-published author of The Lost Girl: A Neverland Story, two collections of flash fiction, and a new book coming out this September. I’ve self-published a few times now and want to help you on your own journey to becoming a published author. I love answering self-publishing questions, so if you have one, feel free to drop it in the comments or check out the video pinned to my profile. Let’s walk this path together!

Today, I’m tackling one of the most common questions I see:

“Is there a timeline I need to follow for self-publishing? Are there steps that need to start before the book is finished?”

The short answer? Yes, there are things you can be doing before the book is finished, but…

(And yes, I love a good “but” as much as the next millennial!) Let’s break down the nuances of this question and talk about what matters most in the self-publishing process.

Step 1: Focus on Finishing the Book

Before we dive into the things you can do before finishing your book, I need to stress something important:

Focus on writing the book. Finish the draft.

This might sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how often I see writers in book groups or forums who haven’t even started drafting—or are only a few chapters in—already asking about:

  • How to get their book edited.
  • Where to find a cover designer.
  • What steps they need to get the book published.

While planning ahead is useful, getting caught up in all the details of publication before finishing the book can pull your focus away from where it needs to be: writing.

Here’s why this matters:

  • Many ideas fizzle out halfway through the drafting process. What feels like “the one” today might not carry you to the finish line.
  • The details of publishing—editing timelines, cover design, formatting—can become overwhelming and distracting, especially if you’re still trying to get your story down on paper.

So, here’s my first big piece of advice: Finish the draft first.

Finish the damn book. Get through the messiness of the first draft, even if it’s nowhere near perfect, and make sure this is the book you truly want to publish. Once you have a full draft, you can start planning your publication steps with more clarity and confidence.

Step 2: What You Can Do While Drafting

Okay, you’re still working on your book—but you’re sure this is the book. Great! There are a couple of steps you can work on in the background, even before your book is completely finished.

1. Start Looking for an Editor

Good editors often book out months in advance, so it’s smart to start researching editors early if you want to secure a spot in their schedule.

  • Ask for recommendations in writing groups or communities.
  • Look for editors with experience in your genre.
  • Research their rates and services to ensure they fit your budget.

Having an editor lined up means you’ll have one less thing to worry about once your draft is ready for revisions.

2. Explore Cover Design Options

Cover design is one of the most important aspects of your self-published book—it’s the first impression readers will have. While you don’t need to finalize your cover before finishing your manuscript, you can start browsing for artists or pre-designed covers:

  • Look for cover designers online or on platforms like Fiverr, Reedsy, or other marketplaces.
  • Check out portfolios to find a designer who aligns with your vision and budget.
  • If you’re on a tight budget, browse pre-made covers that can be customized with your title and author name.

Having a clear vision of what you want your cover to look like—and knowing who can execute that vision—saves you time later in the process.

Step 3: Set a Tentative Publication Date

While you’re working on your book, think about setting a soft publication date to help you build a game plan. This doesn’t mean locking yourself into a specific timeframe, but having a goal date can give you something to work toward and help you map out the steps you’ll need to take.

For example, if you want to release your book in November, you can start working backward:

  • Reserve time for your editor to work on developmental edits and line edits.
  • Block off time for formatting (or for learning the formatting tools yourself).
  • Coordinate your book cover timeline.

Scheduling these pieces will make the process feel more manageable once your manuscript is in its final stages.

Step 4: After the First Draft Is Finished

Once you’ve completed your first draft, you’re in a much better position to dive deeper into the logistics of publishing. Here are the next steps to consider:

  1. Send Your Manuscript to Beta Readers:
    Share your completed draft with trusted beta readers to get feedback on pacing, characters, and overall story development. Their input will help you shape your next round of edits.

  2. Finalize Your Editor and Cover Designer:
    With beta reader feedback in hand, your next steps will include:

    • Securing your editor if you haven’t already.
    • Providing your cover designer with details about your book (genre, mood, themes, etc.).

  3. Refine Your Publication Date:
    At this stage, you’ll have a better sense of your timeline and can adjust your tentative publication date accordingly.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Lose Sight of What Matters

Yes, there are things you can do to prepare for self-publishing before your book is finished, but my number-one piece of advice is this:

  • Focus on writing first. The rest will fall into place when the time is right.

Once your draft is done, you’ll be able to tackle the details of publishing with a clear plan and a better sense of direction. Don’t let all the moving parts of self-publishing overwhelm you before you’ve finished the most important step: writing the book itself.

Your Questions Answered

If you found this post helpful or have more questions about self-publishing, drop them in the comments below!

I’m always talking about self-publishing, so stick around, send me your questions, and let’s work through this process together. You’ve got this—now go draft that book!

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